“This is between Zoey and me. We’d like a moment alone,” I say as calmly as I can manage.

“So you can ride off to Denver together?”

“What?”

At Zoey’s question, I turn back to her.

Tuning out my mom’s unwanted comments, I try to have an actual conversation about our future. Zoey told me she loves me. All I want is a moment to savor the words.

“I shouldn’t have asked you to stay here.”

Zoey flinches back as if I struck her, but I keep my arms tight around her waist before she can stumble away.

“What I mean is, your life is back in Denver. Your family and friends. Your business opportunities. It was selfish of me to ask you to give all that up.”

“Warner—”

“I’m coming with you.” I speak over her, needing to get the words out. Needing her to know that I’ll follow her anywhere.

“What about your pack?” Her eyes flick to my family and back to me.

“They aren’t the only wolves in the world.”

She’s shaking her head, and I want to grip the sides of her face, keep the denial at bay. I want her nodding and smiling and telling me about the place we’ll get together in the city.

“I don’t want you to go to Denver.”

Now, I’m the one flinching, and she’s the one clutching me close.

“I want us to stay in Pine Falls,” she says. “At least for now. I want us to stay here. Together.”

Happiness balloons in my chest, and I’m just about to pull her in for another breath-stealing kiss when my mother’s snarl shatters through my good mood. Again.

“Damn it, Roderick. You’re the pack leader. She’s an outsider. Do something.”

Zoey’s head jerks to the side as if my mother’s words were a blow. My wolf bristles in defense, and I turn to examine my brother.

Will he try to step between us? Does he feel the same as our mother?

The man has his arms crossed, his eyes locked on Zoey and me. He’s silent at first, and everyone waits for him to speak.

Then, Roderick shrugs. “She doesn’t look like an outsider.”

Mom’s mouth hangs open before she snaps it shut and lets out another menacing growl.

Rebecca Jameson is not the bubbliest woman on a normal day, but this level of anger worries me. I get the sense that something deeper is going on that I’m not aware of.

“Mom, I know you want what’s best for me, and you don’t think this is it. But I’m telling you, Zoey is all I want. I’ll only be happy if I’m where she is. If we’re together.”

My passionate words don’t sway her.

She continues to glare at the woman in my arms. “Until she leaves you.”